Overview of Cai Rang Floating Market

Cai Rang floating market is located on the Can Tho river, in Cai Rang ward, Can Tho city. This is a busy and long-standing waterway trade center, serving as a focal point for agricultural products and specialty fruits from all over the new city. With a strategic location on an important waterway, the market is not only a place where bustling economic activities take place but also a unique cultural space, clearly reflecting the river life of local residents.

Cai Floating Market Rang

Every day, since dawn, the river surface in Cai Rang ward is covered with hundreds of boats and boats of all sizes, creating a brilliant and lively scene. A typical highlight of the market is the bamboo poles (beo trees) hanging high with agricultural products to replace signs, helping visitors easily recognize them from afar. With the title of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Cai Rang floating market is now an iconic destination, where visitors can directly experience culinary activities on boats and learn about the unique cultural heritage values in the heart of modern Can Tho city.

Outstanding attractions at Cai Rang Floating Market

Beo tree - Unique "billboard" on the river

Beo tree

Beo tree is the most typical and interesting image at Cai Rang Floating Market, located right in the center of the river trading area in Cai Rang ward. These are tall bamboo poles built on each boat, with agricultural products that the boat owner is selling such as pineapples, watermelons, sweet potatoes or mangoes hanging on top. This form of "non-verbal advertising" helps tourists and customers from afar to easily identify items among hundreds of moving boats, creating a visual and creative commercial culture of the people of the river region.

The "Hu Tieu Shake" culinary boats

Culinary chair "Hu "laughing"

Located among the agricultural boats is a system of "mobile restaurants" specializing in serving breakfast to tourists and traders right on the water. The most famous dish here is fresh noodles prepared directly on the boat, often jokingly called "shaking noodles" due to the rhythmic swaying of the boat's side with each wave. Sitting on a small boat, enjoying a hot bowl of noodles and a cup of fragrant "braised coffee" in the morning breeze of Cai Rang ward is a unique culinary experience, directly connecting visitors with the local rhythm of life.

Fruit and agricultural product granaries on the water

Fruit basket tree

Along both sides of the floating market's canal are large boats and boats that act as mobile agricultural granaries of the new city. This is the place to gather fruit from gardeners in Phong Dien commune and surrounding areas for distribution throughout the provinces. Visitors can stop close to the boat to visit the bustling process of transporting goods, and personally choose Cau Duc pineapples or ripe mangoes with their stems still intact. These colorful boats are a giant "floating supermarket system", demonstrating the richness of Can Tho land after the merger.

Traditional riverside noodle ovens

Oven Traditional riverside noodle soup

Located close to the river edge in Cai Rang ward, traditional noodle shops are a cultural stop not to be missed to learn about the production process of local specialties. Here, visitors can witness firsthand the stages from grinding flour, coating cakes, drying to hand-cutting noodles. Many establishments today also create colorful noodles from natural vegetables and unique "Noodle Pizza". This space is not only a production place but also a check-in point with a rich craft village feel, helping to promote the city's culinary quintessence to international friends.

Cai Rang Bridge - Panoramic view point from above

Cai Rang Bridge

Cai Rang Bridge is not only a vital traffic axis connecting areas in the city but also an ideal "observatory" to get a panoramic view of the entire floating market scene. From the height of the bridge, visitors can clearly see hundreds of boats interwoven like a vivid oil painting on the alluvial water background. This is the best location to take panoramic photos at dawn, when the rising sun reflects the trees and the hustle and bustle of rowing, creating a modern and comprehensive view of the bustle of the river city.

In addition to the main highlights mentioned above, Cai Rang Floating Market has many other interesting details for visitors to explore:

  • Gasoline boats Mobile: Small fuel stations floating on the water, providing gasoline directly to boats operating at the market.

  • Waterway control vessels: Ensuring traffic safety and order for trading activities to take place smoothly within Cai Rang ward.

  • Floating department stores: Boats small shop selling all kinds of necessities from candy, personal items to even household items for people living on the river.

  • Amateur music service on the river: At some breakfast hours, visitors can see artisans performing traditional arts and culture right on the tourist boat.

Beautiful time to travel most

>Fruit harvest season (From May to August)

This period is considered the most vibrant period in terms of color when specialty fruits enter the main harvest of the year. Boats from specialized farming areas of Phong Dien commune and neighboring areas flocked to the river in Cai Rang ward filled with durian, mangosteen, rambutan and mango. Tourists visiting at this time not only enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the mobile stalls but also have the opportunity to enjoy the freshest fruits right on the boat at the original price at the garden.

The "golden" hour to experience the sunrise on the river (From 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.)

To fully feel the rhythm of commercial life and the pristine beauty of the river, you should be at the market from dawn when the sun has just risen. This is the time when trading activities take place most bustlingly, the sound of engines mingling with the boat owners' calls to each other creates a typical symphony of the West. The morning sunlight gently shines through the steaming smoke from the noodle boats, combined with the mist on the river to create a beautiful photography background for those who love art photography.

Special cultural and river festivals

At times when the Cai Rang Floating Market Cultural Tourism Festival or major holidays such as Lunar New Year are held, This area becomes more vibrant with large-scale decorative activities and art performances. With the merger of cultural regions from Soc Trang and Hau Giang into the new city, amateur music programs or pentatonic music performances are regularly integrated right on floating stages. The floating market space at this time is not only a place to buy and sell but also a lively cultural square, bringing multi-sensory experiences to tourists from all over.

Transportation information

Flight routes to Can Tho City

Can Tho International Airport

Airport Can Tho International Airport

Can Tho International Airport is located in Thoi An Dong ward (new ward established on the basis of merging Tra An, Tra Noc and Thoi An Dong wards), which is the most important aviation gateway of the entire new urban area. From the airport, it only takes visitors about 30 - 40 minutes to travel (about 15km) through main roads such as Vo Van Kiet and National Highway 1A to reach the Floating Market area in Cai Rang ward. Domestic airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways are currently regularly operating flights from all over the country to here.

  • From the North & Central Region: Direct connections from big cities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Vinh and Da Nang with many flexible flight times during the day.

  • International route: Pick up direct flights from major tourist centers in Southeast Asia, creating favorable conditions for international tourists to access floating market heritage.

  • Note: Tourists can use airport taxi or intra-province bus services to travel to the center of Ninh Kieu or Cai Rang wards at a reasonable cost.

New passenger bus to Can Tho City

Inter-provincial bus station system

Can Tho Central Bus Station located in Cai Rang ward is the main gathering point for high-quality passenger buses from Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast provinces. This is the most modern bus station in the area, located very close to the floating market, helping visitors save maximum travel time after a long journey. Reputable bus companies such as Phuong Trang, Thanh Buoi or Mai Linh maintain a frequency of every 15 - 30 minutes/trip, ensuring smooth connection between key economic regions.

In newly merged areas, Vi Thanh Bus Station (now in Vi Thanh ward) and Soc Trang Bus Station (now in Phu Loi ward) serve as important satellite transit stations. Tourists from the southern wards of the new city can easily catch inner-city bus routes or inner-city passenger cars to the central area of ​​Cai Rang ward. The system of highways and national highways has been upgraded synchronously after the merger, making the journey smoother and faster than ever.

Moving within the city to Cai Rang ward

To visit Cai Rang Floating Market, visitors have many flexible vehicle options, imbued with the city's river characteristics:

  • Waterway (Cruise boat): This is the most popular and interesting method. Tourists often start their journey from Ninh Kieu Pier in Ninh Kieu ward. From here, the boat will take you down Can Tho river for about 30 minutes to reach the floating market. Sitting on the side of the boat, inhaling the morning air on the river is an indispensable experience in the journey of discovery.

  • Taxi and technology vehicles: Car booking applications such as Grab and Xanh SM operate very strongly in central wards such as Ninh Kieu ward, Tan An ward and Cai Rang ward. You can easily book a car to get to Cai Rang bridge or local riverside wharves quickly.

  • Intra-city buses: Modern bus system connects seamlessly from the northern wards to the southern wards of the city. Visitors can choose bus routes that go through National Highway 1A and get off at the stop near Cai Rang bridge to start the road tour or rent a small boat along the river.

Rent a sightseeing boat

To actively explore the nooks and crannies of the floating market, visitors can contact to rent boats directly at reputable units:

  • Ninh Kieu Tourist Boat Cooperative: ☎ 091 153 12 22| Price from 350,000 VND - 800,000 VND depending on number of passengers and boat size | Departing from Ninh Kieu ward wharf.

  • Cai Rang local train service - Mekong Discovery Travel: ☎ 0932 886 008 | Providing small boats and motorboats for groups of families who want to experience the feeling of weaving close to cargo boats | Pick up guests directly at the river wharves in Cai Rang ward.

Accommodation information

Luxury (4–5 stars)

Sheraton Can Tho is located at 209 Street 30/4, in Ninh Kieu ward (new ward merged from Tan An, Thoi Binh and Xuan Khanh). This is the tallest tower in the city, providing an upscale resort space with panoramic views capturing the beauty of the Can Tho river and the vibrant life of the inner city. Guests staying here can easily move to the pier to visit the floating market in just 10 minutes. According to 2025 data, room prices here range from 2,800,000 to 5,500,000 VND/night.

Sheraton Can Tho

Muong Thanh Luxury Can Tho Located in Cai Khe islet area, Cai Khe ward (new ward merged from An Hoa, Cai Khe and part of Bui Huu Nghia). The hotel impresses with its luxurious architecture blending modernity and the cultural identity of the Western region. With a system of high-class rooms and relaxing spa services, this place is the top choice for business trips or family vacations. The average room price in 2025 is between 1,600,000 and 3,200,000 VND/night depending on room type.

If you want more options for luxury vacations in new central areas, you can consider:

  • Victoria Can Tho Resort - Cai Khe Ward - Price is about 3,500,000 - 6,000,000 VND/night.

  • TTC Hotel - Can Tho - Ninh Kieu Ward - Price is about 1,500,000 - 2,800,000 VND/night.

  • Ninh Kieu Riverside Hotel - Ninh Kieu Ward - Price about 1,300,000 - 2,500,000 VND/night.

Resort (City Resort & Luxury Eco-stay)

Azerai Can Tho hidden on the isolated Au islet in Hung Phu ward (new ward merged from Tan Phu, Phu Thu and Hung Phu), brings an absolutely quiet space between the back river. The resort is designed in a minimalist, sophisticated style, surrounded by hundred-year-old heritage trees, extremely suitable for those who want to "escape" from the noise of the city. Guests can experience private boat transfers from the central pier to the resort. Reference room prices in 2025 range from 6,500,000 to 12,000,000 VND/night.

Azerai Can Tho

Can Tho Eco Resort is located on Highway 61C, in Nhon Ai commune (new commune merged from Nhon Nghia and Nhon Ai). The resort owns a large campus with a saltwater swimming pool and a modern garden-style lotus pond bungalow system. This is an ideal stop for visitors to experience interesting agricultural activities and enjoy the fresh air of the new city outskirts. The price to stay here usually ranges from 1,800,000 to 3,500,000 VND/night for a green resort experience.

For diverse options for ecological resort space, you can refer to:

  • Mekong Silt Lodge – Phong Dien Commune (new) – Price from 1,500,000 – 2,800,000 VND/night.

  • Can Tho Ecolodge – An Binh Ward (new) – Price from 2,200,000 – 4,000,000 VND/night.

  • Hau Giang Hotel – Vi Thanh Ward (new merged area) – Price from 1,200,000 – 2,500,000 VND/night.

Experience (2–3 stars, Homestay, Hostel)

Hieu’s Cottage located in An Binh ward (new ward merged from An Binh, My Khanh and part of Long Tuyen), is a place to stay with a unique Southern village style. Lovely small wooden houses nestled under fruit trees create a close and cozy feeling like being at home. The host and staff will teach you how to canoe, pick fruit or participate in local cooking classes. Room prices here are very competitive, about 900,000 to 1,600,000 VND/night.

Hieu’s Cottage

Nguyen Shack Can Tho offers a unique bamboo accommodation model right near the Cai Rang bridge area, in Cai Rang ward. Here, visitors will experience the intersection of pristine nature and the rhythm of river life, where you can hear the engines of boats going to the floating market early in the morning. Open space and friendly service style help this place always be on the favorite list of the international backpacking community. Reference prices in 2025 range from 600,000 to 1,200,000 VND/night.

For travelers who love flexibility and optimal costs, the following locations are suitable suggestions:

  • West Hotel – Ninh Kieu Ward – Price from 1,000,000 – 1,800,000 VND/night.

  • Green Village Mekong – Cai Rang Ward – Price from 800,000 – 1,400,000 VND/night.

  • Winter Spring Homestay – Ninh Kieu Ward – Price from 500,000 – 900,000 VND/night.

Cuisine and festival culture 

High-class restaurant

L'Escale Restaurant (Victoria Can Tho Resort) – Cai Ward Star fruit

L'Escale Restaurant

L'Escale Restaurant is located on the top floor of Victoria Can Tho Resort, offering a sophisticated fusion of French and Vietnamese cuisine with a direct view of the busy river confluence. Diners coming here can enjoy premium steaks or fresh Mekong seafood prepared according to international standards in a classic space with an Indochinese breath. With a view of the river where tourist boats travel back and forth to the floating market, this is a great choice for classy parties with prices starting from 950,000 VND/person.

The Grill (Sheraton Can Tho) - No. 209 Street 30/4, Ninh Kieu Ward

The Grill is a restaurant specializing in grilled dishes and Premium seafood buffet located in a prime location in the center of Ninh Kieu district. The restaurant space is modernly designed with an open kitchen, allowing diners to admire the process of preparing imported American beef slices or fresh live giant prawns right on the spot. Located inside the tallest tower in the city, diners can enjoy exquisite cuisine while watching the panoramic view of vibrant urban life from above at a cost ranging from 800,000 - 1,500,000 VND/person.

Some other high-class culinary places you can refer to near the center:

Local Cuisine

Sau Hoai Pizza Noodle Oven - An Binh Ward

Pizza Noodles

Sau Hoai Noodle Oven is an iconic culinary destination, the birthplace of the unique "Noodle Pizza" associated with the reputation of the Cai Rang river region. This dish uses fresh, crispy fried rice noodles as the base, topped with fried eggs, meat and fragrant peanuts, creating an interesting fusion between traditional and Western flavors. Visitors can directly visit the handmade cake coating process right at the factory before enjoying this specialty dish in a cool garden space with prices starting at only 50,000 VND/portion.

Bay Toi Pancakes – No. 45 Hoang Quoc Viet, An Binh Ward

Banh Xeo Bay Toi is a long-standing rustic cuisine brand, attracting diners with thin, crispy pancakes poured on a traditional earthen oven. The unique feature of the restaurant is the diverse fillings from minced duck, river shrimp to coconut collards, served with a giant basket of wild vegetables including dozens of types of leaves picked from gardeners in Phong Dien commune. The rustic layout and fire-red open kitchen space create a cozy feeling, helping visitors clearly feel the original flavor of Western cuisine at a reasonable price from 70,000 VND/piece.

Some other quality local cuisine addresses around the area:

  • Thanh Van grilled spring rolls - Ninh Kieu Ward - Prices from 65,000 VND/portion.

  • Da Ly fish sauce hotpot – Tan An Ward – Price from 350,000 VND/pot.

  • Thanh Giao duck cooked with chao – Cai Khe Ward – Price from 150,000 VND/portion.

Experiential Cuisine

Noodle Boat and Braised Coffee - Cai Rang Floating Market, Cai Rang Ward

Coffee kho

The culinary experience on the river at Cai Rang Floating Market is a unique cultural feature where diners are served right on boats swaying along the alluvial water. The sound of the engine mingling with the sounds of offering steaming noodles and vermicelli noodles creates a lively dining atmosphere that no other land-based restaurant can match. In particular, the dish "braised coffee" kept continuously hot in a clay pot on a charcoal stove is an unforgettable experience, bringing a passionate aroma to start a new day full of energy right in the heart of the floating market.

Some other unique culinary experiences that tourists should try at the floating market:

  • Folk cake boats: Small boats selling banh bo, banh it, Pork skin cakes weaved between cruise ships - Price from 20,000 VND/cup.

  • Lotus tea and hot soy milk: A simple drink served to diners at dawn on the river - Price from 15,000 VND/glass.

  • Amateur music boat: Enjoy heritage music while having breakfast on large cruise ships – Often included in package tours.

Cultural Experience & Festivals

Cultural Festival Cai Rang Floating Market – Cai Rang Ward

Market Cultural Festival floating Cai Rang
 

Cai Rang Floating Market Festival The Cai Rang Floating Market Cultural Tourism Festival, which takes place every year in July, is the largest event to honor the local National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The entire section of the river in Cai Rang ward is splendidly decorated with hundreds of colorful boats participating in the artistic fruit shaping contest and parade on the river. This is an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the artistic space of Don Ca Tai Tu and admire the bustling economic life of the river, demonstrating the enduring vitality of Western culture.

Chol Chnam Thmay Festival - Central Khmer pagodas

Chol Chnam Thmay Festival Chol Chnam Thmay Traditional New Year Festival takes place in the middle of April every year The year is a typical cultural event, bringing colorful space to Khmer temples in the city. Visitors will be immersed in the exploding space of graceful Lam Thon dances, participate in the solemn Buddha bathing ceremony and enjoy traditional cakes rich in authentic flavors. This is a unique spiritual cultural experience, demonstrating the diversity and longstanding connection of the ethnic groups living in this land.

Other annual festivals and cultural events in the central area:

  • Southern Folk Cake Festival - Cai Khe Ward: Event gathering the quintessence of traditional baking art taking place on the occasion of the third lunar month schedule.

  • Ooc Om Boc Festival - Ngo Boat Race: Dramatic traditional boat race attracts tens of thousands of excited and cheering spectators along the river banks.

  • Ky Yen Dinh Binh Thuy Festival - Binh Thuy Ward: Space to honor the architectural heritage and long-standing spiritual traditions of local people.

Amusement area

My Khanh eco-tourism village

My Khanh Ecotourism Village

My Khanh eco-tourism village located in An Binh ward, is a large entertainment complex imbued with the typical river garden style of the West. Here, visitors can participate in unique folk entertainment activities such as pig racing, dog racing, monkey circus or experience the feeling of being a "landlord" in ancient houses more than a hundred years old. The green space with fruitful orchards and a long system of ponds and lakes brings a feeling of relaxation, completely separate from the bustle of the city, extremely suitable for families and groups of young people to visit after leaving the floating market.

  • Ninh Kieu Wharf - Ninh Kieu Ward: Airy riverside park space with views of the majestic Can Tho Bridge, an ideal walking spot to watch tourist boats and enjoy fresh air every sunset.

  • Can Tho Night Market - Hai Ba Trung Street, Ward Ninh Kieu: A bustling nightlife shopping area with hundreds of souvenir stalls, handicrafts and bustling street food areas, attracting a large number of tourists to have fun after dark.

  • Mekong Film Studio - Cai Rang Ward: Modern check-in entertainment venue with many elaborately staged scenes, from classic European architectural works to miniatures imbued with the soul of the Vietnamese countryside, helping visitors save unique souvenir photos.

  • Ninh Kieu Pedestrian Bridge - Ninh Kieu Ward: A highlight project with a curving design and a modern light and water music system, is a place where street cultural exchange activities often take place and is the most beautiful location to view the river at night.

Suggested tour

Experiential tour

Dawn Tour Cai Rang Floating Market - Traditional Craft Village

  • Itinerary: Ninh Kieu Pier - Cai Rang Floating Market - Traditional noodle oven - Ba Cong fruit garden - Enjoy noodles pee right on the boat.

  • Transportation: Tourist boat/ Motor boat.

  • Reference tour price: 250,000 - 450,000 VND/person (depending on number of guests).

  • Organizer: Can Tho Tourist.

Discovery tour

Tour "Tay Do River" - Explore the lake lifestyle

  • Itinerary: Depart early in the Cai Rang area - Explore floating grocery boats – Experience the "shipping" technique – Interact with long-time residents living on the ship – Enjoy braised coffee.

  • Transportation: Small wooden boat.

  • Reference tour price: 600,000 - 850,000 VND/person.

  • Organizer: Mekong Eyes.

Tour Walking Tour: Local Architectural Heritage and Culture

  • Itinerary: Can Tho ancient market – Binh Thuy ancient house – Binh Thuy communal house – Learn the history of the formation of Tay Do land and culture River transformation.

  • Transportation: Experience walking combined with electric car.

  • Reference tour price: 350,000 VND/person.

  • Organization unit: Saigon Tourist (Can Branch) Poetry).

Family tour

Cruise on Can Tho river

  • Itinerary: Ninh Kieu Wharf – Visit Cai Rang Floating Market – Have fun at My Khanh Tourist Village – Experience making rice paper – Have a garden-style lunch.

  • Transportation: High-class cruise ship.

  • Price Reference tour: 500,000 - 700,000 VND/person (including lunch).

  • Organizer: Victoria Can Tho Resort (Lady Hau ship).

Eco-tourism

Countryside bicycle tour - Discovery Phong Dien garden

Phong Dien garden

  • Itinerary: Cai Rang Floating Market area – Cycling along small canals – Visiting Ha Chau strawberry garden – Explore local handicraft workshops.

  • Transportation: Bicycle.

  • Reference tour price: 550,000 VND/person.

  • Organizer: Vietnam Bike Tours (Can Tho Branch).

Shopping and Souvenirs

Agricultural specialties at the Floating Market Cai Rang 

Shopping for fruits at the market

Shopping on the river Cai Rang floating market is like a giant "supermarket on the river", where visitors can choose to buy the freshest agricultural products just harvested from gardens and surrounding areas. Boats filled with pineapples, Hoa Loc mangoes, pink star apples or Ha Chau strawberries are always ready for tourists to buy as gifts at the original price right on the side of the boat. Directly choosing fruit on the water amid the sound of lapping waves brings a local, rustic and authentic shopping experience that is hard to replace at any shopping center.

For more shopping options for specialty and prestigious gifts in the city, you can refer to the following addresses:

  • Huynh Thao Specialties – 176H Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, An Lac Ward: The store specializes in providing high-end specialties such as banh tet with green leaves, plum wine and dried snakehead fish, professionally vacuum-packaged, very convenient for long-distance transportation.

  • Muoi Cuong Cocoa Facility - An Binh Ward: Ideal stop to shop for pure cocoa products such as powder handmade cocoa, cocoa butter and chocolate candies are processed directly from long-standing heritage gardens.

  • Nho Giftshop Can Tho - 130 Nguyen Viet Hong, An Phu Ward: Creative gift shop with many lines of modern accessories, teddy bears and decorative items suitable for young people looking for something new and youthful.

  • Ha Dong Silk Shop - Nam Ky Khoi Street Nghia, Tan An Ward: Space to display high-quality silk lines, modern bandanas and exquisite ready-made costumes, bringing elegance and high cultural value to souvenirs.

Support information and other information

Cai Rang Floating Market Management Board

  • Address: No. 40 Vo Tanh Street, Cai Rang Ward, Can Tho City.

  • Support phone number: 0292.384.6688

  • Function: Responsible for the orderly operation of waterway trade, regulating channels for ships boats and assist visitors with information about the market schedule. This is also the place to receive feedback on the quality of tourism services, prices and support in finding lost items on transport vehicles in the riverbed area.

Cai Rang Ward Police

  • Address: No. 07 Vo Tanh Street, Cai Rang Ward, Can Tho City.

  • On-duty phone number: 0292.384.6113

  • Function: Ensure security, order, safety for people and visitors, and receive reports on incidents related to personal safety or property 24/7. The unit directly manages the floating market area, ensuring a healthy tourism environment and supporting tourists in emergency situations.

Cai Rang General Hospital

  • Address: No. 130 National Highway 1A, Cai Rang Ward, Can Tho City.

  • Emergency phone number: 0292.391.3344

  • Functions: Providing 24/7 emergency services and quickly handling health problems that arise such as heatstroke, colds or unexpected incidents during the river exploration journey. This medical facility is located right near the main road leading to the wharf, so it is very convenient for timely treatment and ensuring the health of tourists.

Can Tho International Airport

  • Address: Vo Van Kiet Street, Thoi An Dong Ward, Can Tho City.

  • Phone number: 0292.384.4301

  • Function: Main aviation gateway connecting the city with domestic and international areas, providing flight schedule information and supporting baggage handling. Visitors can contact the hotline number for advice on official means of transportation such as airport buses or taxis to go straight to Cai Rang ward area to visit the floating market.

Wish you have an inspiring journey, fully feel the unique river culture and enjoy memorable moments at Cai Rang Floating Market - a colorful heritage symbol of Can Tho City!